Text Messaging for Real Estate

Introduction

In the real estate business, communication is critical. Every successful sale begins with a single point of contact.

Ask yourself: how many ways can house-hunters contact you? If you’re like most realtors, probably only by a phone call or email.

Text message marketing gives you a new and invaluable channel, allowing more prospective buyers to contact you, and allowing you to make more sales. The more contacts, the more sales, the more profit you take home.

What is Text Message Marketing?

Did you know that 1 in 3 Americans prefer to be contacted by text, rather than a phone call? By limiting yourself to calls and emails only, you may be shutting out one third of your potential market.

Text message marketing, or SMS marketing, is a permission-based form of advertising that takes advantage of the massive popularity of text messaging. By using this mobile medium, you can deliver crucial information to clients anytime, anywhere, giving them the resources to make an informed purchase.

How Can It Help Me Make Sales?

Picture this: a house-hunter drives by your property and spots your lawn sign.

They text your custom keyword (“RC7”) to 555888 and immediately receive the following text message:

44 Main St
3 BR – 2 BA
1,400sqft
$305,000
(555) 328-8121
Pics+Info: http://bit.ly/OBbbdY

At the same time, you receive an email with their phone number. That means you get a excellent lead, already interested in the property. You follow up and soon you’ve closed the deal.

Easy, huh?

How It Works

Each property gets a designated keyword. A keyword is a phrase or code that is texted to a shortcode (a 5- or 6-digit phone number) to initiate a text campaign.

Let’s say you’ve got a house for sale at 22 Main Street, so you choose “22MAIN” as the keyword.

This keyword is advertised on the property’s lawn sign and on any print or online listings.

“Text 22MAIN to 555888 for property info”

You can choose any keyword for your property, but it should be simple and memorable (just like our shortcode, 555888). You could use the address, the name of your realty company, your name, etc.

When you sign up for a paid SimpleTexting account, you get unlimited keywords, so feel free to make a new one for each property.

Why Text Marketing?

That’s how it works. But why does it work? Here’s 3 reasons.

1. It’s easy. 

It only takes a few seconds to send a text, many people will do it on an impulse. What they get in response is a wealth of information on the property, easily accessible at any moment on their phone.

2. It’s mobile. 

There’s mounting evidence that mobile is the next big thing. Mobile-friendly websites are great, but can be complicated to configure and will only reach the 50% of Americans who own smartphones. Texts are accessible on nearly every cell phone and are simple to set up.

3. It delivers excellent leads.

You’ll receive the contact information of individuals extremely interested in buying or renting your property. Even if they don’t close on that property, there’s ample opportunity to to direct them to your other listings.

What to Text?

What should you include in the body of your text message? You customize the message to include any info you want, but we recommend treating it as a bite-sized listing.

Here are just a few items you can include:

• Address
• Profile
• Size
• Price
• Your contact info
• Shortened link to Google Maps
• Even a shortened link to your existing website.

You can also follow up via text to continue the conversation, or call their cell phone directly.

Get Started for Free

Want to give text marketing a try? Get started now with a Free for Life account.

What does a Free for Life account entail, and is it really free?

You’ll get 50 messages per month, 1 custom keyword, and yes, it’s really free.No credit card, no contract, just free.

When you’re ready to upgrade to a paid account, just change your billing plan from the dashboard. Simple!